15 - Netflix

I  know most of us know Netflix but to those who don't know Netflix a provider of on-demand internet streaming. In other words, it's a place where you can stream movies and shows.
When I first heard of Netflix, I instantly wanted to make an account but unfortunately it's unavailable here in the Philippines. I was devastated when I read the words "unavailable in your region", I wanted to make an account so bad.
Netflix is loved by many. One of the users of Netflix wrote on a review, “Netflix it is neither about fine dining lunches (there are good, but not exceptional free-boxed lunches) nor pure extravagances like an onsite masseuse. However, you get what you need without any bureaucracy or pushback, whether it's new software or a new Mac. And the "no policy or tracking" on vacation is a huge perk, in that you get treated like an adult to take off the time you need / want with no fuss. And the "no policy" doesn't mean you are secretly expected not to take time off (I certainly have taken my share).” One of its pros is that it is the original content and the price of  it is worth paying for, but the current seasons of the shows you want to watch isn’t always or maybe even never available.
Netflix is surely a place for those movie lovers or show lovers. It is a must have when you just want to relax and be comfortable. Maybe soon enough it will be available in our country and I am looking forward to using it.

14 - Creepy Stories

I am a fan of creepy stories. I love the way the story gets in your head and make you feel all freaked out. No, I am not a psychopath; I am just a normal girl seeking a story of interest. Since I have read many (and I mean many) of these stories, I would like to share 3 of them with you.

1.      1. The Shadow Girl

A father who was just going through a divorce was staying at his mother’s house, who claimed the house was haunted by a shadow of a girl walking from room to room. Since he and his ex-wife are sharing custody of his daughter, some weeks she stays with her mother and other times with her father. One particular week in the middle of the night, the father was on his computer, working on a file he’d use for work, then suddenly out of the corner of his eye he catches his daughter sneaking into the kitchen, where then she stops dead and stares at him for a few minutes but he doesn’t look at her since he figured she would just go to bed, which she did. A little while later, he checked on her, he then realized with a sick feeling in his gut that that her bed was empty – she had been staying at her mother’s that week.

2.      2. Hunter

This one father had a son aged about 4 or 5 called Hunter. When hunter gets bad dreams he would climb into his parents’ bed and sleep there. One night the father hears his son call him, only this time he didn’t call him ‘dad’, he called him by his full name. The father then goes to check on Hunter, asking what’s up but Hunter was fast asleep and when roused Hunter merely said “Dad, you’re not supposed to answer when they call you.” The next morning, Hunter woke up not remembering a thing that happened.

3.      3. The Blind Man’s Favor

In Berlin, after World War II, money was short, supplies were tight and it seemed like everyone was hungry. At that time, people were telling the tale of a young woman who saw a blind man picking his way through a crowd. The two then started to talk, the man asked the young woman for a favor: could she deliver the letter to the address on the envelope? Well, it was on her way home, so she agreed. She started out to deliver the message, when she turned around to see if there was anything else the blind man needed, she spotted him hurrying through the crowd with out his smoked eyeglasses or white cane. She went to the police, who raided the address on the envelope, where they found heaps of human flesh for sale. What was in the envelope? “This is the last one I am sending you today.”

Something like this?

15 People that I Commented in (Blog)

1. Tommy Lu
2. Brian Olores
3. Fevy Espinas
4. James Baldelomar
5. John Bautista
6. John Ryan Pasaoa
7. Jordan Fernandez
8. Kaila Roguel
9. Kate Calma
10. Nicole Lopez
11. Martha Salamat
12. Sammy Angot
13. Samantha Munar
14. Rhea Ayungon
15. Vince Huliganga

13 - Anti-Smoking Campaign

The campaign is obviously about anti-smoking. I have known people who smoke and I can tell you it's not good. Some smokers say they do it to relieve stress, but they can relieve stress in another way, for example, doing yoga.

For years, smoking has been responsible for many diseases such as (lung) cancer, respiratory diseases and heart diseases.So why does smoking raise risks of cancer? it's because a sizable amount of compound in cigarettes are toxic.Which means that most of the smoke you exhale are just about maybe 40% of what you inhaled. The 60% of it has been left in your lungs which then leads to diseases. Smoking can also cause fatty substances to form in the arteries thus making yourself an easy target for a heart attack.

Quit smoking today. Do it not for your friend or your family, do it for yourself. You will thank yourself in the future.

12 - Science of love

You read that right, there is a science to love. It may sound complicated (it is) but it's also quite simple.
Love is what keep us humans existing and reproducing. There has been a study that revealed the three stages of love which are lust, attraction and attachment.

Lust is the first stage of love and is driven by testosterone and estrogen.
Attraction is the second stage of love and this is driven by the hormones adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin.
The third and final stage is Attachment. This is driven by oxytocin and vasopressin.

It is true that love is one of the most delightful feelings ever. It is also true when they say that 'love is blind' for you never know when your brain will encounter love but the words 'the heart feels' or 'my heart is breaking or hurting' is a lie, the heart does not feel, the brain does. This has been a common thing and it seemed to be 'right' but it is not.

If you still want to know more about this subject then I recommend you to watch this video.

11 - Planting Trees

I know most of us have heard of a tree, but what is a tree? some may say it's just a wood with leaves, well technically it is but it is so much more than just that.

Trees give life to humans, to animals and to our own Mother Earth. I know planting a tree takes time and effort but truth be told, we need trees right now, more than ever. It's sad that when we are advancing we are also destroying. Doing something about the environment may not benefit you now but it will benefit you sooner than later.

There are so many reasons why we should plant trees and one of them is that it can improve the air we breath. Trees also absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gaseous pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2). If only we plant more trees then these gases that go to the atmosphere will lessen thus reducing global warming, climate change and will cool down our earth. Trees also shield us from ultra-violet rays. When we are exposed to UV rays, we can get skin cancer. Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50%, amazing right? The last and most important reason why planting trees is important is that trees provide food, they give us food so that we can survive. If trees run out, many will starve, so we should all plant a tree.

Planting trees is one of the easiest and most sustainable way to positively affect the environment. Trees are our life line to a cleaner and a healthier environment. If it's easy enough to plant a tree then it's also easy to make a change. As a wise man once said, "Make a change and make like better. Remember, a small act can have a big impact."

10 - Journeying with Asia Pacific College

The journey with Asia Pacific College has been magical so far. Our SOCSIT week was unexpectedly great too, we had this thing called 30 seconds of fame or shame and the Mr. and Ms. SOCSIT.

On the day of SOCSIT week, we were 'officially introduced' to be a part of SOCSIT week. We were told to go to the parking lot with our banner and were told that there will be a competition being held regarding the banners. If I were frank, I was a bit disappointed that my name wasn't mention in the banner (it was printed so it couldn't be changed) like we all have been classmates for more than a month and I think the least one could do is remember at least my name. I don't blame them though, My name is pretty hard to remember. It's no one's fault and I am actually quite happy that I am a part of this block.

An event called Mr. and Ms. SOCSIT also happened. I didn't exactly know what happened in the event for I didn't attend but I know for a fact that the event must've been amazing. I didn't attend the event not because I didn't want to cheer my blockmates on but I didn't attend for it was an evening event and considering the traffic I would encounter, I didn't mind attending. I am also not that of a fan of pageants like that so it was okay.

I am glad I chose APC. I met different kinds of people and are even close friends with a few of them. It has been wonderful and I am sure it will still continue to be wonderful.

9 - Bravery is not only for Heroes

Everyone can be brave, we just have to be brave in our words, in our thought and in our actions. It takes a lot to have the courage to do something that somebody else can’t. We can, for example, save someone’s life or rescue someone from danger. There are so many ways we can be brave, we just have to prove that we can be one.

We have to be brave in or with our words. We have to stand up for what we think is right and what we feel is the right thing to do. Take our leaders for example, they use their words to solve problems, to connect to the members of the society and to help all of us. A word is enough to make someone feel sad, happy and angry. A word can be a weapon of mass destruction, just one word is enough to make thousands of people suffer. I don’t mean that we can go around and start telling people something that can hurt them but instead, we can take the power to speech and to reach out to people a great responsibility. Taking that big responsibility is what bravery is.

We must be brave in our thoughts. We must learn to accept the facts, we must face our fears and most importantly, we must be brave to move on with our lives. I know it’s much easier said than done but actions speak louder than words right? Or in this case, thoughts speak louder than words. Being brave is not all about putting up a tough front, it’s also about admitting how wrong you were, how sorry you felt and how scared you are. Yes, all of those can be a form of bravery.

Another one is bravery in our actions. This is the most important one because ‘actions’ really let you do things about something. For example, our firemen, each day they do their jobs and risk their lives just for the sake of other people. Bravery in our actions is not only about helping others but also helping yourself. You can make yourself a better person just for the sake of others or you can help yourself for ‘you’. It isn’t about what you plan to do, it’s about what you actually do to make it happen.

Courage come in different shapes and sizes. Heroes are not the only ones who can be brave, each and every one of us has the ability to be brave and help others. Just like Christopher Reeve said “Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean.” We have a choice. We can be brave, we just have to make it happen.

8 - What makes a hero?

First of all what is a hero? Well, a hero is someone who is brave like a soldier, compassionate like a teacher and altruistic like a doctor. I don't mean that you have to have those jobs to be a hero, what I mean is that you should not act for yourself but for others. Heroes come in different shapes and sizes. I looked all around the web and saw that what we call a ‘hero’ is someone who is willing to help others no matter what circumstances they are in and someone who is ready to sacrifice his/her life for others.

Heroes have thousands of faces. What I mean is that each and every one of us are capable of becoming one, a hero. Even people who are disabled and sick can be heroes. You don’t have to have a nice wink, a cape or a superpower, being yourself is simply enough. There are no requirements for you to become a hero. You just have to be someone whom people can trust (with their lives) and someone who they can look up to.

So why do heroes exist? They are here for a reason just like we have a reason for being here. I believe their reason is to help us, we can’t do everything alone after all. They are here to guide us and lead us to the right path. Heroism has been part of our lives for hundreds and thousands of years, they are here to educate us.

‘Heroic’ is different from superhuman. Superman, Hulk and Spiderman became superheroes not because they have superhuman strengths and powers but they became ‘Heroes’ because of their heroic acts toward humans.

Let’s face it, each and every one of us wants to become a hero. We all want to make that simple change in this world to not only help ourselves but to also help others. Each day we wake up to the same things yet we dare not change anything, why? Because change scares us. Change is a gamble and those who are brave enough to ‘change’ their lives for the better are the true heroes. They are brave enough to face their fears.

If you still don’t understand what I’m saying then I recommend you to watch this video.

7 - Who am I?

I am Shania Soleil G. Reyes. I am the eldest of two daughters. I have many guy cousins and I grew up with them that's why I am not a girly girl. I self studied Korean for a while, I can read and write in Korean now (I can't speak much Korean though.)

I remember when I was a kid I used to wrestle with my cousin, I didn't like it thought cos I was little and fragile and he was as big as a baby elephant so I naturally got squished.

I would love to tell you all my life story but that would have to be in another post.

God bless!